09 June 2004	Wednesday	20 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, June 8: Like elsewhere in the world, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Pakistan celebrated the 93rd birthday of its spiritual leader Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin on Tuesday.

The main feature of the celebration was the special address by Syedna Burhanuddin at Taheri Masjid, Saddar. Dr Burhanuddin is currently visiting Pakistan as state guest. Hundreds of his followers were present at the mosque.

The Syedna's philosophical discourse about various aspects of Islam and the sense of duty in his community people started at about 11:15am and continued, with a break for prayers, till 4:30pm, said a community representative.

On this occasion the Bohra leader also thanked the government of Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali for extending kind hospitality to him at Islamabad and Karachi. He advised his followers to remain loyal to their country of adoption and to live in harmony with all communities.

He impressed upon his followers to stick to Shariah in their daily life and remain steadfast on practising Islam. The community members in groups met their spiritual leader to seek his blessings and express their gratitude for leading them to right destination through correct right path of peace, progress and prosperity and bestowing them with guidance in all temporal and religious affairs.

MASS-WEDDING: According to a communication of the Faiz-i-Hakimi, a mass-wedding ceremony would be held at the Yousufi Masjid, block B, Shabbirabad at 1pm. It said that 500-600 weddings are to be solemnized there which would be followed by grand marriage ceremony planned to be held at 7pm at the National Stadium. Syedna Burhanuddin would specially be gracing the occasion with his appearance, it added.